TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – Crews are putting on the final touches from top to bottom, before opening the doors of the historic Mayfair Building. The building originally closed its doors back in the early 2010′s before the City of Tyler, voted to begin the renovations on the venue.
“Since it was a historical building, we really wanted to restore it back to that historical and keep that historical integrity in the building,” Deputy City Manager, Stephanie Franklin said.
Although they wanted to maintain part of the building from the original pieces of the wooden to a stage discovered during renovation, the space now has more ADA accommodating features.
“There’s not a lot of changes because we wanted to keep it that unique historical fabric that the building offers,” Franklin said. “It is ADA accessible now, ADA restrooms, the storage area that we added in the back is much better.”
The building’s restoration is part of Phase 1 of the Rose Complex Master Plan which includes the new W.T. Brookshire Conference Center and the newly renovated Mayfair Building.
“The most important thing is this diversity that we provide when you visit the city of Tyler,” Franklin said. “You’re not just something you would see in other cities you’re seeing something special something different that really is a unique feature of our city.”
With the opening of the W.T. Brookshire Conference Center and now the Mayfair Building, officials suggest this could bring in more entertainment to the area.
“It’s gonna add to the quality of life in that regard and depending on what is actually taking place there I’m sure there’ll be some entertainment opportunities maybe even music,” President of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, Henry Bell said.
In January 2024, Governor Greg Abbott along with the Texas Music Office designated the city of Tyler as a Music Friendly City. Bell suggests this would be an opportunity to showcase that designation with visitors coming through.
“It helps us promote our music friendly designation for sure,” Bell said. “And to provide that kind of quality of entertainment and other things that could take place there that’ll just increase the quality of life for all the people that live in the community.”
East Texas musicians, The Tuxedo Cats will be one of the first groups to perform in the Mayfair, participating in the city’s grand re-opening. Members Mike Harper and Todd Rinlee say they´re looking forward to taking the stage for their first performance in the Mayfair.
“To be performing in an arena where Elvis was and Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and others, its pretty cool and I understand it going to be quite an event,” Mike Harper of The Tuxedo Cats said.
Throughout the years, the venue is known for hosting performers like Elvis Presley and Dolly Parton, keeping a focus on live music for the setting.
“We believe in live music and so we love living in a community where it’s encouraged and its thriving right now,” Harper said.
As the Mayfair opens and attracts more people to East Texas, The Tuxedo Cats hope this will bring in more music and performance acts to the city.
“I’m looking forward to seeing some really good shows there and it’s just really good that we get to be a part of it,”
The grand re-opening of the Mayfair Building will be on April 4th from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.. It will be held at the Mayfair Building, located at 415 Fair Park Drive in Tyler. There will be complimentary mocktails, food trucks and live music from The Tuxedo Cats.
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